From the acclaimed Gemini award-winning producers Ilana Frank and David Wellington

CTV announced today that it has ordered to series SAVING HOPE, a new, one-hour original drama starring Erica Durance (SMALLVILLE) and Michael Shanks (STARGATE ATLANTIS) from the acclaimed Gemini award-winning producers Ilana Frank and David Wellington (THE ELEVENTH HOUR, Of Murder and Memory, ROOKIE BLUE). CTV has ordered 12 one-hour episodes in addition to the pilot shot this summer.

In SAVING HOPE, when charismatic Chief of Surgery Charlie Harris (Shanks) at Toronto’s Hope-Zion Hospital ends up in a coma, he leaves the hospital in chaos – and his fiancée and fellow surgeon, Alex Reid (Durance), in a state of shock. Along with newly-arrived star surgeon, Joel Goran (Daniel Gillies, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES), Alex races to save Harris’ life. As the action unfolds, comatose Dr. Harris wanders the halls of Hope-Zee in “spirit” form, not sure if he’s a ghost or a figment of his own imagination. Reid, along with her fellow doctors, press on to save his life and those of their other patients, as they deal with the complicated and courageous decisions that are made in their daily struggle to keep hope alive.

“Tapping into the frenetic lives of medical professionals entrusted to make life and death decisions every single day, SAVING HOPE is a sexy, heart-pumping hospital drama with captivating storylines,” said Phil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports. “We look forward to working with the talented actors and creative team behind this compelling new series.”

SAVING HOPE, which is inspired by Ian Brown’s The Globe and Mail “Mount Hope” series based on stories from Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, is executive produced by Thump Inc.’s Ilana Frank and David Wellington (THE ELEVENTH HOUR, Of Murder and Memory, ROOKIE BLUE). Co-created and written by Malcom MacRury (REPUBLIC OF DOYLE, LIVES OF THE SAINTS) and Morwyn Brebner (ROOKIE BLUE). Lesley Harrison is also executive producer. David Wellington directs. Trish Williams is Director, Independent Production, Drama, Bell Media. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Independent Production, Bell Media. Mike Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, Programming, CTV Networks. Phil King is President, CTV Programming and Sports.